Relationship between cognitive, media literacy, access and cigarette smoking among male high school students, Northeast Thailand

Abstract

Smoking has been a prevalent cause for premature death and other illnesses, including chronic lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases. Even though the number of smokers among Thai population has decreased, but the number of young smokers aged between15 to 24 has gradually increased. The trend will has an impact on the next generation in the future. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cognitive, media literacy, access and cigarette smoking among male high school students. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 850 male high school students in Ubon Ratchathani, Northeast Thailand, using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Univariable logistic regression were used for data analysis. The results revealed that the participants currently smoking cigarettes was 24.8 percent. Cognitive towards dangers of smoking, media literacy and access to cigarettes was at a ＂moderate＂ level (73.6%, 69.6%, and 55.6%, respectively). Logistic regression analysis revealed that who have moderate and low levels of cognitive towards dangers of smoking significantly tended to smoke more than those with high levels of cognitive (OR = 0.4, 95%CI = 0.26 - 0.79, OR = 0.3, 95%CI = 0.17 - 0.67, respectively). Who have moderate and low levels of media literacy significantly tended to smoke more than those with high levels of media literacy (OR = 0.5, 95%CI = 0.33 - 0.80, OR = 0.3, 95%CI = 0.18 - 0.70, respectively). Who have moderate and low levels of access to cigarettes significantly tended to smoke more than those with high levels of access (OR = 2.4, 95%CI = 1.58 - 3.64, OR = 2.6, 95%CI = 1.63 - 4.27, respectively). Conclusion: Cognitive towards dangers of smoking, media literacy and access to cigarettes were the most important factors on cigarette smoking among male students. Therefore, either the smoking prevention program or quit smoking program in school should emphasize on these factors.